If you want to start a career in the culinary field in the state of Washington, this page is for you.
Here we have compiled information about the best culinary and pastry schools in your state.
The schools included in our list offer hands-on training that leads to certificates or associate degrees, preparing students for careers as station chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs, restaurant managers, catering managers, and other related jobs in the field.
The programs focus on teaching skills such as: food preparation, culinary safety and sanitation, baking principles, contemporary cuisine, and more.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington chefs make between $45,000 and more than $85,000 a year- with the average annual wage calculated at 67,360.
Bakers reportedly made $42,400 per year, on average.
These professions are expected to grow in the future at a rate that is higher than the average for all occupations.
Employment for chefs and head cooks across the United States is projected to grow 7 percent by 2034.
As more restaurants and dining places open, the public’s demand for high-quality dishes will grow.
Employment for bakers in the United States is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034.
If you’re passionate about food and cooking and you want to turn this passion into a career, we encourage you to read our list.
#1Seattle Central College
About the School
Seattle Central College helps students prepare for culinary careers.
The programs emphasize classical and modern techniques that cover a wide range for cooking styles.
Students have the opportunity to build a well-rounded set of skills so they can launch their dream job in the fast-growing food service industry.
The following programs are available at the college:
- Culinary Arts
- Specialty Desserts & Breads
Courses Offered
The Culinary Arts program at Seattle Central College provides students with a strong foundation of culinary skills, with an emphasis on classic and modern cooking techniques.
Students get plenty of practical experience preparing both regional and global cuisine.
Students need 90 credits for a Culinary Arts Associate of Applied Science degree.
Full-time students complete the program in five semesters.
Contact Information
- Address: 1701 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122
- Phone: 206.934.3800
- Website: https://culinary.seattlecentral.edu
#2Lake Washington Institute of Technology
About the School
Lake Washington Institute of Technology offers a Culinary Arts pathway that prepares students to acquire comprehensive skills essential for success in commercial food service operations.
Students learn fundamental cooking principles, terminology, and crucial food handling practices.
The institute offers small class settings, ensuring personalized attention and hands-on training.
The following program options are available:
- Culinary Arts, Associate in Applied Science
- Culinary Arts, Certificate of Completion
Students need 30 credits for a Certificate of Completion and take classes such as:
- Introduction to Culinary Arts
- Food Service Safety and Sanitation
- Nutrition
- Intermediate Culinary Arts
- Food Sustainability and Trends
- Costing, Planning, and Procurement
Contact Information
- Address: 11605 132nd Avenue NE, Kirkland, WA 98034
- Phone: (425) 739-8100
- Website: https://www.lwtech.edu
#3Bates Technical College
About the School
Among many other career-training programs, Bates Technical College offers a Culinary Arts program that is the only South Sound’s American Culinary Federation Accredited Culinary Arts degree and certificate program.
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Associate of Applied Science: Culinary Arts- a six-quarter program
- Certificate of Training: Hospitality-Line Cook- a two-quarter program
Courses Offered
The Line Cook Certificate of Training includes courses such as:
- Introduction to Fundamentals of Culinary Arts
- Customer Service
- Garde Manger
- Servsafe Sanitation
- Breakfast Methods
- Introduction to Baking
- Cooking Techniques
- Cooking Techniques II
Contact Information
- Address: 1101 S. Yakima, Tacoma, WA 98405
- Phone: 253.680.7000
- Website: https://www.batestech.edu
#4South Seattle College
About the School
South Seattle College offers a Culinary, Hospitality, and Wine program.
Students get to develop a foundation of skills well-suited for the tourism, food service, and hospitality industries.
The following programs are available:
- Culinary and Pastry Arts
- Hospitality Management
- Wine Studies
The Culinary and Pastry Arts program helps students develop real-world skills and prepare for a creative career.
An Associate in Applied Science and a Certificate pathway are available for those interested in pursuing these programs.
An Associate in Applied Science- transfer program is also available.
The Culinary and Pastry Arts Certificate includes the following program requirements:
- Health and Sanitation
- Fundamentals of Classical Techniques
- Culinary Foundations: Global Approaches
- Intro to Pastry & Breads: Traditional and GF
- Intro to Sustainable Food Systems
Contact Information
- Address: 6000 16th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98106
- Phone: 206.934.5300
- Website: https://southseattle.edu
#5Edmonds College
About the School
Located just north of Seattle, Edmonds College offers a Culinary Arts program that is a full-time culinary school that provides hands-on training that helps students advance their careers in the food world.
No prior experience is required for admission into this program.
New students start by taking a two-week Culinary Arts Orientation.
During this time, they are introduced to the fundamentals of working in a professional food service establishment.
Courses Offered
Students who attend a Culinary Arts Associate of Technical Arts Degree take classes such as:
- Food Service Procurement or
- Sustainable Food Service
- Restaurant Operations
- Food Service Nutrition
- Food Service Sanitation
- Cost Analysis
- Food Preparation
- Food Server
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 20000 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood, WA 98036
- Phone: 425.640.1459
- Website: https://www.edmonds.edu
#6Food First Culinary School
About the School
Food First Culinary School offers in-person, small-group, or private cooking and baking courses and classes for home chefs in the Washington, DC area.
The four-class Cooking with Confidence course teaches 15 go-to recipes.
Students may supplement this with a knife skills class and continue with Cooking with Confidence Level II.
A Baking with Confidence class is also available.
The Cooking with Confidence class teaches students essential recipes that form the foundation of everyday home cooking.
The four classes cover essential pasta dishes, rice and chicken dishes, sheet dinners, and recipes to impress their dinner party guests.
The knife skills class teaches:
- How to hold a knife correctly
- Different knife grips and their function
- The claw grip
- Different chopping techniques
- How and where to shop for kitchen knives
- How to care for your knives at home
Contact Information
- Address: 3911 47th Street NW, Washington, DC
- Website: https://www.food-first.com
#7Olympic College
About the School
Olympic College offers a comprehensive, hands-on Culinary Arts program that trains students for careers in food service.
Students in this program focus on areas of cooking specialty and gain hands-on experience working in the Olympic Cafe, The Fireside Bistro, and at banquets and events.
This program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation.
Courses Offered
The college offers an Associate in Technical Arts program and the following stackable certificate programs:
- Certificate of Completion: Culinary Production
- Certificate of Completion: Culinary Techniques
- Certificate of Specialization: Culinary Management
The Culinarian ATA program includes courses such as:
- Culinary Techniques
- Food Production
- Dining Room Service
- Garde Manger
- International Cuisine
- Commercial Baking
- Nutrition for Culinary Professionals
- Culinary Internship
- Intro to Hospitality Industry
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1600 Chester Ave. Bremerton, WA 98337-1699
- Phone: 360-792-6050
- Website: https://www.olympic.edu
#8The Pantry
About the School
The Pantry offers cooking classes that focus on deep dives, traditional food crafts, storytelling, and building community.
The cooking classes focus on traditional food crafts and techniques, five-course family-style dinners, culinary camp for kids, power lunches for makers, and more.
The following classes are available:
- Cooking with Kids: Asian Fusion Tacos
- Retro Cream Pies
- Mexican Wines
- Jerusalem Street Food
- The South American Coast
- The Japanese Coast
- Southern Biscuits
- The Cheese Course: Washington
- And more
Course availability varies depending on the month.
Contact Information
- Address: 1417 NW 70th Street, Seattle, WA 98117
- Phone: 206.436.1064
- Website: https://thepantryseattle.com
#9Skavit Valley College
About the School
Skavit Valley College offers a Culinary Arts | Baking and Pastry program that invites students to ignite their passion for food as they explore international cuisines, master foundational and advanced techniques, and craft savory dishes and delicate desserts.
Students learn in a hands-on environment guided by expert chefs and pastry professionals.
The program also covers emerging food trends such as plant-based innovation, sustainable cooking practices, and global fusion flavors.
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Culinary Arts, AAS
- Baking & Pastry, AAS
- Culinary Arts, Professional Cooking Certificate
- Culinary Arts, Basic Bakery Competence Micro-Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 2405 East College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273-5899
- Phone: 360.416.7600
- Website: https://www.skagit.edu
#10Walla Walla Community College
About the School
Walla Walla Community College offers a Culinary Arts program that gives students the cooking skills, hands-on experience and business know-how to launch their career in the food service industry.
Students learn from skilled chefs, live demos, guest speakers and labs.
They get real-world experience in a student-run Capstone Kitchen.
Students also help run food-truck pop-ups and catering events.
Courses Offered
Students in the Culinary Arts program learn how to:
- Perform the essential principles of professional work ethic
- Maintain a useful and positive attitude while working in a team
- Operate and maintain kitchen equipment
- Demonstrate proficiency in the use of hand tools and knives
- Think logically and critically
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 500 Tausick Way, Walla Walla, WA 99362
- Phone: 509.522.2500
- Website: https://www.wwcc.edu
Schools Summary Table
Culinary & Pastry Average Salary in Washington
Estimated Earnings Range:| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
|
$49K
|
|
|
$71K
|
|
|
$97K
|
Culinary & Pastry Salary by Metro Area in Washington
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 110 | $62,930 | $30.25 | $79,410 | $48,360 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 90 | $65,440 | $31.46 | $78,230 | $49,820 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 100 | $66,490 | $31.97 | $84,490 | $48,930 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 30 | $68,880 | $33.12 | $77,560 | $50,950 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 100 | $67,650 | $32.52 | $84,300 | $49,200 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 2,680 | $73,980 | $35.57 | $100,350 | $51,580 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 240 | $61,940 | $29.78 | $78,660 | $46,860 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 50 | $67,890 | $32.64 | $88,410 | $52,080 |
| Yakima, WA | 60 | $64,080 | $30.81 | $79,780 | $47,160 |
* Employment opportunities may differ based on your location.
Final Thoughts
Before being ready for employment in a restaurant or another establishment that serves food, you have to complete a program that teaches you the required skills for this profession.
Now that you have read our selection of the best culinary and baking schools in Washington, the next step is to continue researching and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
